ROLE OF COMMUITUY RADIO IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSIONROLE OF COMMUITUY RADIO IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

A CASE OF BIRSA HARIYALI RADIO STATIONA CASE OF BIRSA HARIYALI RADIO STATION

Dr. R.P. Singh Dr. R.P. Singh ‘‘RatanRatan’’

Director Extension EducationDirector Extension Education

BIRSA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RANCHIBIRSA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RANCHI

Introduction Introduction

Community Radio (CR) has received a new impetus in India with thCommunity Radio (CR) has received a new impetus in India with the e

recent liberalization of the broadcasting licensing policy whererecent liberalization of the broadcasting licensing policy whereby by

recognized educational institutions and selected NGOs are granterecognized educational institutions and selected NGOs are granted d

license to start CR Station. license to start CR Station.

This form of participatory communication has proved to be very This form of participatory communication has proved to be very

successful as a tool for social development at the grass roots lsuccessful as a tool for social development at the grass roots level in many evel in many

countries. It has the capacity to utilize the desire of every incountries. It has the capacity to utilize the desire of every individual to dividual to

communicate. communicate.

The local community needs are often neglected by the mainstream The local community needs are often neglected by the mainstream media media

and commercial channels but the community radio understands theiand commercial channels but the community radio understands their r

needs and by making them active partners.needs and by making them active partners.

Establishment of BHRSEstablishment of BHRS

Keeping this in view Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi decidKeeping this in view Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi decided to take ed to take

this initiative and join hands in this series this initiative and join hands in this series endeavourendeavour. Birsa . Birsa HariyaliHariyali Radio Radio

Station (BHRS) at 107.8 FM was established in the university Station (BHRS) at 107.8 FM was established in the university hqhq. at . at KankeKanke

(Ranchi) in its ATIC premises with the support from Ministry of (Ranchi) in its ATIC premises with the support from Ministry of

Information Communication and Technology; Information Communication and Technology; GovtGovt of India and Media of India and Media

Lab Asia which was made effective with the help of World DevelopLab Asia which was made effective with the help of World Development ment

Foundation. Foundation.

Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi became the first state agriBirsa Agriculture University, Ranchi became the first state agricultural cultural

University in the country in establishing the CRS which was inauUniversity in the country in establishing the CRS which was inaugurated gurated

on 03.03.2008 by H.E the Governor of Jharkhand.on 03.03.2008 by H.E the Governor of Jharkhand.

The University realized the utility of the CRS and establishmentThe University realized the utility of the CRS and establishment of CRS of CRS

took a marginal time of only 3took a marginal time of only 3--4 months and made a landmark in the field 4 months and made a landmark in the field

of communication along with education, research and extension edof communication along with education, research and extension education.ucation.

Training of Radio JockeyTraining of Radio Jockey

While the CRS was being established at one hand an one month traWhile the CRS was being established at one hand an one month training ining

programme on Radio Jockey was conducted on the other hand. The programme on Radio Jockey was conducted on the other hand. The

outcome was that Birsa Agricultural University, became able to aoutcome was that Birsa Agricultural University, became able to air the ir the

programmes with a goal to sustain and enrich the lives of poor aprogrammes with a goal to sustain and enrich the lives of poor and socially nd socially

challenged. challenged.

It is bound to help the farmers in the fields of agriculture eduIt is bound to help the farmers in the fields of agriculture education, health cation, health

and and hygenehygene with an air to bring social transformation of the people of itswith an air to bring social transformation of the people of its

area of coverage 20 km radius. area of coverage 20 km radius.

The assets with BHRS are one studio and a sound proof recording The assets with BHRS are one studio and a sound proof recording room room

adequately furnished. The others items include two air conditionadequately furnished. The others items include two air conditioners, a ers, a

computer, mixer, two transmitters of 50 watt, two recorders 5 micomputer, mixer, two transmitters of 50 watt, two recorders 5 mikes, sound kes, sound

boxes etc. boxes etc.

Training Programme on Radio Jockey was conducted from 15th Feb tTraining Programme on Radio Jockey was conducted from 15th Feb to o

15th March 2008 following by one month practical session from 1515th March 2008 following by one month practical session from 15th th

March to 15th April 2008 in the field. March to 15th April 2008 in the field.

During this period the programmes were relayed by the trainees iDuring this period the programmes were relayed by the trainees in the n the

guidance of the Director Training Programme and the Coguidance of the Director Training Programme and the Co--ordinatorordinator and and

three Radio Jockeys were selected after voice test. three Radio Jockeys were selected after voice test.

The training was imparted by the experts from Delhi, AIR, RanchiThe training was imparted by the experts from Delhi, AIR, Ranchi

DoordarshanDoordarshan, Ranchi Journalists marketing , Ranchi Journalists marketing personnelspersonnels and people from and people from

rural development sector. During the training field assignmentsrural development sector. During the training field assignments were were

also given to the trainees as project works. also given to the trainees as project works.

Training of Radio JockeyTraining of Radio Jockey

Advisory Board of BHRSAdvisory Board of BHRS

The advisory board of BHRS meets after every three month and revThe advisory board of BHRS meets after every three month and reviews iews

the programme outlawed through radio and discusses about the furthe programme outlawed through radio and discusses about the further ther

ongoing programmes as what has to be transmitted in next three ongoing programmes as what has to be transmitted in next three

months months

Director Extension Education Director Extension Education -- ChairmanChairman

Representatives of WDFRepresentatives of WDF -- MemberMember

Head of Department Extension EducationHead of Department Extension Education -- MemberMember

DyDy. Director Information . Director Information -- MemberMember

ATIC Manager ATIC Manager -- MemberMember

Representative Representative VikasVikas BhartiBharti -- Member Member

Three Farmers Three Farmers -- MemberMember

The CRS has to be made self sustaining by earning revenue ruminaThe CRS has to be made self sustaining by earning revenue rumination tion

through advertisement so that the University should not bear finthrough advertisement so that the University should not bear financial ancial

burden. A revolving fund is provided to the radio station for inburden. A revolving fund is provided to the radio station for initial itial

smooth running. The rate of advertisement was fixed as per the smooth running. The rate of advertisement was fixed as per the

following details:following details:

@ @ RsRs. 20/. 20/--

per second (Sale of time slot of half an hour)per second (Sale of time slot of half an hour)

@ @ RsRs. 20000/. 20000/--

Advisory Board of BHRSAdvisory Board of BHRS

Programme Schedule Programme Schedule

A Programme Advisory Committee has been constituted to plan and A Programme Advisory Committee has been constituted to plan and

monitor the programmes with the following members:monitor the programmes with the following members:

At present 3 hr. broadcast in two transmission is done daily. ThAt present 3 hr. broadcast in two transmission is done daily. The first e first

transmission entitled from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm and the second enttransmission entitled from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm and the second entitled itled

from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Afternoon Transmission 1.00 Afternoon Transmission 1.00 ––

2.00 PM 2.00 PM

((GraminGramin

MahilonMahilon

KeKe

LiayeLiaye))Programme Time

Jingle 1.00 to 1.02 PM

Bhajan/ Local Song 1.02 to 1.06 PM

Mahila

Panchyat

(Recepe) 1.10 to 1.25 PM

Swarojgar 1.25 to 1.35 PM

Swasthya

Churcha(Saundary

Churcha)1.35 to 1.45 PM

Krishi

Gyan 1.45 to 1.55 PM

Jingle 1.55 to 2.00 PM

Announcement, Tips, Jokes, News, Market Rates weather conditions in between the programmes

Evening Transmission 4.00 to 6.00 PM Evening Transmission 4.00 to 6.00 PM

((KisanKisan

BhaionBhaion

KeKe

LiayeLiaye))

Programme TimeJingle 4.00 to 4.02 PMBhajan/ Folk Song 4.02 to 4.06 PMAnchoring News 4.06 to 4.10 PMAaj Ki Baaten (Scientist) 4.10 to 4.25 PMNayee Dishayeen (Yuvaon Ke Liye) 4.25 to 4.40 PMTips 4.40 to 4.45 PMSwasth Churcha (Pashu Swasthya) 4.45 to 5.00 PMMausam Ki Jankari (Kissano ke Sath) 5.00 to 5.10 PMSafal Kisan 5.10 to 5.25 PMInterview 5.25 to 5.40 PMKahani (Bashcho ke Liaye) 5.40 to 5.55 PM

Sam Sam SamaikSamaik ((GropGrop discussion) discussion) patrottarpatrottar GrihGrih VatikaVatika etc. the source of etc. the source of

news is newspaper, TV and cable news. The weather forecast and news is newspaper, TV and cable news. The weather forecast and

information to farmer is from Agroinformation to farmer is from Agro--met Advisory Service of Department met Advisory Service of Department

of Agricultural Physics and of Agricultural Physics and MeterologyMeterology, Birsa Agricultural University. , Birsa Agricultural University.

The programme The programme cousistscousists of local songs sung by local singers. of local songs sung by local singers.

Market rate is by wholeMarket rate is by whole--sale markets, business men and linkages with sale markets, business men and linkages with

SHG of different villages, NGOs, Piggery farm, Goat farm, nurserSHG of different villages, NGOs, Piggery farm, Goat farm, nurseries, ies,

dairy farm, AIR, dairy farm, AIR, DoordarshanDoordarshan and different media houses and and different media houses and

institutions. Interview of legal advisors, career councilors, bainstitutions. Interview of legal advisors, career councilors, bank nk

officials, scientist experts, block officials, health educators,officials, scientist experts, block officials, health educators, doctors, doctors,

physiatrists etc are relayed from time to line which are being physiatrists etc are relayed from time to line which are being

appreciated by the listeners.appreciated by the listeners.

Evening Transmission 4.00 to 6.00 PM Evening Transmission 4.00 to 6.00 PM

((KisanKisan

BhaionBhaion

KeKe

LiayeLiaye))

A FEW SUCCESS STORIESA FEW SUCCESS STORIES

Birsa Birsa HariyaliHariyali has changed many lives. Lethas changed many lives. Let’’s visit some of s visit some of

them and share their experiences that how their life them and share their experiences that how their life

changed changed

LetLet’’s meet s meet ShriShri Ram Lagan Ram Lagan MahliMahli of of PithoriaPithoria Village (Ranchi). He is a farmer as Village (Ranchi). He is a farmer as

well as collects money for the local well as collects money for the local ‘‘HatHat--BazarBazar’’. Initially he was a simple . Initially he was a simple

traditional farmer with no particular ideas for his development.traditional farmer with no particular ideas for his development. He came in He came in

contact of their radio staff during the visit to his village. Hecontact of their radio staff during the visit to his village. He then started listening then started listening

our programmers. our programmers.

The update information about agricultural practices helped him aThe update information about agricultural practices helped him a lot and through lot and through

radio he came in contact with the radio he came in contact with the wholesellerswholesellers and started selling his produce and started selling his produce

mainly vegetables forming group from his local mainly vegetables forming group from his local haathaat/bazaar. The feature on /bazaar. The feature on

improved rearing animal broadcast through BHRS helped him and thimproved rearing animal broadcast through BHRS helped him and the detail e detail

information about B.A.U. Goat Farm encouraged him to keep goats information about B.A.U. Goat Farm encouraged him to keep goats encouraged encouraged

him to him to aoptaopt for improved goat rearing and now a days apart from other sourcfor improved goat rearing and now a days apart from other sources es

goat husbandry has become one of his major earning source and higoat husbandry has become one of his major earning source and his life style is s life style is

improving dayimproving day--byby--day. day.

He is always in our contact and takes help from the University sHe is always in our contact and takes help from the University scientists. Radio cientists. Radio

staff his also interlinked him with some progressive farmers of staff his also interlinked him with some progressive farmers of the area and he is the area and he is

being being benifittedbenifitted a lot.a lot.

Ram Lagan : Ram Lagan : PithoriaPithoria

Anita Anita DeviDevi, , BoreyaBoreya

Now letNow let’’s move to another village s move to another village BoreyaBoreya where the people use to listen where the people use to listen

Birsa Birsa HariyaliHariyali Radio on a regular basis. The Radio Staff moved to that Radio on a regular basis. The Radio Staff moved to that

village an entered in the life of village an entered in the life of SmtSmt. Anita . Anita DeviDevi. She is a vegetable seller. She . She is a vegetable seller. She

owns a small holding in which she grows gets cauliflower cabbageowns a small holding in which she grows gets cauliflower cabbage, etc. as , etc. as

the main vegetables and her source of income was confined to itthe main vegetables and her source of income was confined to it. She had to . She had to

perform all the activities herself which was very difficult as sperform all the activities herself which was very difficult as she has three he has three

small children and her husband was not sincere. small children and her husband was not sincere.

Apart from vegetable cultivation she was Apart from vegetable cultivation she was intousteintouste to start mushroom to start mushroom

production after listening production after listening ablutablut mushroom from Birsa mushroom from Birsa hariyalihariyali Radio Station. Radio Station.

She contact the mushroom scientists of the University and after She contact the mushroom scientists of the University and after undergoing undergoing

a short training she started mushroom production. a short training she started mushroom production.

The radio staff talked to her and linked her with the local markThe radio staff talked to her and linked her with the local market. She non et. She non

produces vegetables as well as mushrooms. Farm the income accruiproduces vegetables as well as mushrooms. Farm the income accruing from ng from

these ventures she manages the house and sends her children to sthese ventures she manages the house and sends her children to school as chool as

she can stay at home and look after the house.she can stay at home and look after the house.

KhusbuKhusbu, , NagriNagri

In another village In another village NagriNagri a school girl a school girl KhushbuKhushbu studying in class X also studying in class X also

uses to uses to listendlistend Birsa Birsa HariyaliHariyali Radio Station. Radio Station.

IntiallyIntially she used to help her she used to help her partentspartents in household activities and used to in household activities and used to

go and to school but after hearing our programmes she started tago and to school but after hearing our programmes she started taking king

active interest in the field in assisting her parents and askingactive interest in the field in assisting her parents and asking them to them to

follow the new information provided by us. follow the new information provided by us.

She insisted them to try the things our scientists and progressiShe insisted them to try the things our scientists and progressive farmers ve farmers

told through our programmes. Her told through our programmes. Her querriesquerries came frequently to us and the came frequently to us and the

result was better farming. result was better farming.

The best part was that she started taking keen interest in her sThe best part was that she started taking keen interest in her studies and tudies and

even educating the others. Time to time she uses to visit our Raeven educating the others. Time to time she uses to visit our Radio Station dio Station

and give message to the other children to coand give message to the other children to co--operate their parents and try operate their parents and try

the new information. the new information.

NishadNishad, , OrmanjhiOrmanjhi

NishadNishad Ahmad is a college student who after listening Birsa Ahmad is a college student who after listening Birsa HariyaliHariyali

Radio Station has emerged as a talented figure. Radio Station has emerged as a talented figure.

HeHe’’s son of a small farmer who was only an ordinary boy of s son of a small farmer who was only an ordinary boy of BukruBukru till he till he

came in our contact. We provided him a came in our contact. We provided him a plateformplateform to sing as he had good to sing as he had good

voice which made him to known to other people as well as it devevoice which made him to known to other people as well as it developed loped

confidence in him. confidence in him.

We provided him information about the various programmes where nWe provided him information about the various programmes where now ow

hehe’’s trying his luck. He even started helping his father in agriculs trying his luck. He even started helping his father in agricultural tural

works. He even started helping his friend works. He even started helping his friend ImtiyazImtiyaz Ahmad who is Ahmad who is

fatherless and has lot of burden on him. They are our regular lifatherless and has lot of burden on him. They are our regular listeners steners

being being benifittedbenifitted by our programmes.by our programmes.

BalkishoreBalkishore

MundaMunda, , ManatuManatu, , RatuRatu

LetLet’’s move to s move to RatuRatu Block where Block where BalkishoreBalkishore MundaMunda a farmer of a farmer of ManatuManatu

has become a developed farmer after he established a mange orchahas become a developed farmer after he established a mange orchard rd

after getting information from us. He has lot of land which was after getting information from us. He has lot of land which was not not

good for crops and he utilized it for good for crops and he utilized it for pomologypomology..

TribhuwanTribhuwan

AwasthiAwasthi, Ranchi, Ranchi

One another person One another person TribhuwanTribhuwan AwasthiAwasthi opened his nursery on a plot opened his nursery on a plot

he was not using before for crops and now he is having a successhe was not using before for crops and now he is having a successful ful

business.business.

Deepak Deepak ChourasiaChourasia, Ranchi, Ranchi

LetLet’’s meet another educated man whose life is changed after listenins meet another educated man whose life is changed after listening g

Birsa Birsa HariyaliHariyali Radio. Radio.

A A leacherleacher Deepak Deepak ChourasiaChourasia considered agriculture as uneducated considered agriculture as uneducated

personspersons’’ affair but after regularly listening to our radio his views andaffair but after regularly listening to our radio his views and ideas ideas

started changing and he slowly moved towards fields. Hogged withstarted changing and he slowly moved towards fields. Hogged with

teaching heteaching he’’s now a good farmer. s now a good farmer.

His field which were barren or had less crops now are filled witHis field which were barren or had less crops now are filled with crops day h crops day

by day we are having more and more listeners. Not only farmers bby day we are having more and more listeners. Not only farmers but we ut we

have list many student who have opted for there careers after lihave list many student who have opted for there careers after listening us stening us